Lawsuits against mining company alleging shootings, gang rapes can go ahead in Canada

Lawsuits against mining company alleging shootings, gang rapes can go ahead in Canada

HudBay Minerals says it will defend itself ‘vigorously’ against claims by 13 Mayan Guatemalans.

By: The Canadian Press, Romina Maurino Published on Tue Jul 23 2013

Three lawsuits against a Canadian mining company over alleged shootings and gang rapes at a Guatemalan project will be allowed to proceed in Canada following a ruling that makes it possible for firms to face liability at home for incidents that occur overseas.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs, 13 Mayan Guatemalans, said the decision is a “wake-up call” for Canadian companies about their responsibilities at foreign mining projects.

“This step in the case uses existing legal rules that have not been applied in this way before,” lawyer Murray Klippenstein said in an interview Tuesday.

The suits allege that security personnel, along with members of the police and military, attacked and raped 11 women in 2007 who were forcibly removed from their village in relation to the Fenix project.

Two related lawsuits seek to hold HudBay Minerals Inc. and a subsidiary responsible for the subsequent killing of community leader Adolfo Ich as a result of a land dispute and the shooting and paralysis of local resident German Chub.

More:
http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/07/23/lawsuits_against_mining_company_alleging_shootings_gang_rapes_can_go_ahead_in_canada.html

[center][/center]
Last year:
Guatemalans seeking justice in Canada: Hudbay Minerals Inc.
November 27, 2012

- See more at: http://nobelwomensinitiative.org/2012/11/guatemalans-seeking-justice-in-canada-hudbay-minerals-inc/#sthash.hCTVRTXF.dpuf

[center]

German Chubb, paralyzed [/center]
THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE ARE TURNING To Hold Hudbay Minerals Accountable in Canadian Courts for Serious Human Rights Violations in Guatemala

Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Posted by Rights Action Team

http://www.rightsaction.org/action-content/wheels-justice-are-turning-hold-hudbay-minerals-accountable-canadian-courts-serious